Glow In The Dark Flip Flop Sandals

ABSTRACT

Architecture is present that provides a glow-in-the-dark flip flop sandal device that increases the visibility of individuals that are walking or cycling by oncoming drivers, and more particularly to a durable flip flop sandal having a phosphorescent portion that emits visible light under low-light conditions.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention pertains to a pair of glow-in-the-dark flip-flop sandals that aid pedestrians and cyclists to be more visible to drivers during nightfall. The flip-flop sandals' soles and strap have phosphorescent that illuminates during nightfall and in low-light conditions.

BACKGROUND

Flip Flops are made up of soles from various materials and straps that keep the user's foot in place while wearing. Many people go on walks or bike rides outside and some choose to wear flip-flop sandals, especially on hot days. During late nights, people walking or cycling outdoors can become hard to view for some drivers. Glow in the dark flip flops purpose is not only to add a bright, fun, and very new way of how the world views flip-flops, but also to help aid safety measures for those walking or even cycling outdoors to be more visible to drivers on the road.

This invention can help prevent injuries, hits and runs, and even deaths from occurring. The Fourth of July is ranked as one of the deadliest days of the year for DUI crashes. August ranked as one of the deadliest months. Both are summer months which is a time when wearing flip-flop sandals is more common than any other time of the year. Giving Pedestrians and cyclist visibility may reduce the number of DUI and Hit and run crashes per year.

Therefore, a need exists for glow-in-the-dark flip-flop sandals given the data on how dangerous summertime can be. The invention adds to the popular summer footwear essential foot flip sandal by not only giving it a new and unique look but also adding safety measures with a full three-sixty-degree view of glow-in-the-dark visibility factor for safety purposes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The invention can be made by using various types of glow-in-the-dark phosphor powders composed of different luminescent compounds.

One of them is traditional glow-in-the-dark compounds which are made of the compounds copper-activated zinc and sulfide. Zinc sulfide is a compound made up of the elements zinc and sulfur. In its natural form, it appears as a white or yellow powder. When the compound is exposed to light, it stores the energy and re-emits it at a slower pace and lower frequency becoming the glow one sees when there is no light or low light conditions.

Another composed element that can be used s strontium aluminate. Composed of elements strontium and aluminum, it works identically to zinc sulfide by storing energy from light and turning it into colorful glows. It is a pale yellow, and, other than its phosphorescent properties, is inert. Strontium aluminate is a vastly superior phosphor to zinc sulfide as previously mentioned.

Another glow-in-the-dark phosphor is another form of strontium aluminate which is strontium aluminate doped with europium and dysprosium which is an even brighter version than regular strontium aluminate.

However, these phosphors are not meant as limitations as there are a wide variety of other phosphors and or activators are known to one skilled in the art that may be used as well. Any of these phosphors can be added to the materials for a flip flop sandal which may be comprised of: rubber, foam, plastic, leather, suede, fabric, or any other material known to one of skill in the art. Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a device 100 flip flops, Sandals, or thongs and a Y-shaped strap that secures to the user's foot 102. The flip flop 100 comprises a front end and rear end. The flip flop further comprises a Y-shaped strap 102 with a stem 103, a first arm 104, and a second arm 105 wherein the stem terminates and secures to the front end of the flip flop 101, the first arm 104 terminates and secures to one side of the rear end of the flip flop, the second arm 105 terminates and secures to the opposite side of the rear end of the flip flop. The flip flop sandal 100 along with the Y-shaped strap 102 with a stem 103 comprises an outer surface 102 visible under low-light conditions and at least one securing element. At least one glow-in-the-dark element 114 of the present invention preferably comprises a Photoluminescent compound. This allows the user to be more visible at night or under low light conditions, as Photoluminescent compounds emit the visible light following sufficient exposure to a light or other comparable radiation source. Typically, the Photoluminescent compound will comprise a phosphorescent material to produce the photoluminescence. For example, a phosphor Such as copper or silver activated Zinc sulfide can be incorporated into plastic or other materials that make up at least one glow-in-the-dark element 114. Another preferred phosphor is europium-activated strontium aluminate which is useful because it produces a more persistent and brighter visible light emission. However, these phosphors are not meant as a limitation as there are a wide variety of other phosphors and/or activators known to one skilled in the art that may be used as well the photoluminescence typically lasts for a period that depends on the length of exposure to the light source, the chemical composition of the phosphor and activator, and the type of radiation used for charging. After the phosphorescence abates, the user simply re-exposes at least one glow-in-the-dark element 114 to the light source. For example, the flip flop sandal 100 along with the Y-shaped strap 102 with a stem 103 may recharge when left out in the sun. Products made with phosphorescent materials typically maintain their glow-in-the-dark properties for several years as long as they are sufficiently recharged. Also, it is not uncommon for these materials to continue to emit light for up to ten hours or more with each charge. Additionally, the invention is not limited to phosphor-based photoluminescence as fluorescent materials may be used to produce photoluminescence for the flip flop sandal device 100. Therefore, chemiluminescent materials which produce visible light through chemical reactions rather than from expo Sure to a light Source may be used as at least one glow in the dark element 114 as well. For example, commercially available glow-in-the-dark light sticks, which are activated by removing or cracking a barrier between a plurality of reactants, may be used in at least one glow-in-the-dark element 114 instead of or in conjunction with a phosphor-based Photoluminescent material to give off light. It may be advantageous to make use of a variety of different materials to produce a plurality of different colors and/or to have a plurality of different glow periods. Similarly, the flip flop sandal device 100 along with the Y-shaped strap 102 with a stem 103 may comprise reflective elements (not shown) in conjunction with the Photoluminescent and/or chemiluminescent materials to increase the visibility of the flip flop sandal device 100 along with the Y-shaped strap 102 with a stem 103 under a variety of weather conditions. Next, at least one glow-in-the-dark element 114 may be manufactured into a variety of desired shapes or elements. The Y-shaped strap 102 with a stem 103 may be molded or extruded with a phosphor. These processes are not meant as a limitation as a phosphorescent material may be combined with at least one glow-in-the-dark element 114 by painting, dying, lining, coating, extruding, embedding, casting, dipping, or by any other method of manufacture known to one of skill in the art while still rechargeable by direct sunlight, artificial man-made light, or radiation. The recharging source may comprise an ultraviolet light source, a black light, a light-emitting diode, a visible light source, a battery-powered flashlight, and the like. Similarly, the recharging Source may comprise elements that emit radiation Such as tritium and promethium, for example. The recharging source is used to recharge at least one glow-in-the-dark element 114, such as the flip flop sandal 100 the Y-shaped strap 102 with a stem 103, or other portion of the flip flop sandal device 100.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described various embodiments of the invention in general terms. Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a top view of the glow-in-dark flip-flop sandal with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of a glow in the dark flip flop sandal with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 3 shows a rear view of a glow in the dark flip flop sandal with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 4 shows a medial view of a glow in the dark flip flop sandal with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 5 shows a lateral view of a glow-in-dark flip-flop sandal with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of a glow in the dark flip flop sandal with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a glow-in-the-dark flip-flop sandal with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 8 shows a display view of a glow-in-the-dark flip-flop sandal with the disclosed architecture.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The current summer footwear of choice is flip-flop sandals because they are more comfortable to walk around in during the summer heat. However, when night falls the person walking in their summer attire may become hard to see. Glow-in-the-dark flip-flop sandals increase the visibility of a user who may be walking down roads, sidewalks, or even cycling. This can help drivers identify users walking or cycling and can reduce injuries and or deaths.

Photoluminescence typically lasts for a period that depends on the length of exposure to the light source, the chemical composition of the phosphor and the activator, and the type of radiation used for charging. After the phosphorescence abates, the user simply re-exposes at least one glow-in-the-dark element to the light source. For example, the flip-flop sandals may recharge when left out in the sun. Products made with phosphorescent materials typically maintain their glow-in-the-dark properties for several years as long as they are sufficiently recharged. Also, it is not uncommon for these materials to continue to emit light for up to ten hours or more with each charge.

Additionally, the invention is not limited to phosphor-based photoluminescence for the flip-flop sandal device. Therefore, chemiluminescent materials which produce visible light through chemical reactions rather than from exposure to a light source may be used as the at least one glow-in-the-dark elements as well. For example, commercially available glow-in-the-dark light sticks, which are activated by removing or cracking a barrier between a plurality of reactants, may be used in at least one glow-in-the-dark element instead of or in conjunction with phosphor-based photoluminescent material to give off light. It may be advantageous to make use of a variety of different materials to produce a plurality of different colors and or to have a plurality of different colors and or to have a plurality of different glow time periods. Similarly, the flip flop sandal device may comprise reflective elements not shown in conjunction with the photoluminescent and or chemiluminescent materials to increase the visibility of the footwear device under a variety of weather conditions.

Next, at least one glow-in-the-dark element may be manufactured into a variety of desired shapes or elements. These processes are not meant as a limitation as a phosphorescent material may be combined with at least one glow-in-the-dark element by painting, dying, lining, coating, extruding, embedding, casting, dipping, or by any other method of manufacture known to one in the skill in the art.

Any of these methods can be used to give the traps and the soles of the footwear device's top, bottom, rear, medial and lateral view of the flip flop sandal footwear device to glow in the dark. While the materials for the flip-flops are being mixed, a phosphor can be added to give the material the ability to glow in the dark.

The recharging source may provide an artificial or man-made light or radiation source so that the footwear device remains charged and ready for use even when stored out of sunlight. The recharging source may comprise an ultraviolet light source, a black light, a light-emitting diode, a visible light source, a battery-powered flashlight, and the like. Similarly, the recharging source may comprise elements that emit radiation such as tritium and promethium for example.

The recharging source may or may not attach to the footwear device as desired. Optionally, recharging the source may simply be clipped on or otherwise affixed anywhere to an outer surface of the footwear device such as the straps. The recharging source is used to recharge at least one glow-in-the-dark element such as straps and or other portions of the footwear device such as the sole. Alternatively, the recharging source may simply remain where the footwear device is stored, for example in a cabinet, locker, backpack, or closet. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A flip-flop device comprising of: a sole; a y-shaped strap having first and second ends, the first end of the strap being attached to the sole at a position to fit between a pair of toes of a wearer when the flip-flop is worn by the wearer; and, an outer surface visible in low-light conditions; and at least one securing element.
 2. The flip flop of claim 1, wherein the flip flop sandal along with the Y-shaped strap with a stem, outer, bottom, and top surface glows in the dark after exposure to a light source or heat source.
 3. The flip flop of claim 2, wherein the light source is Sunlight, LED, radiation, incandescent, fluorescent, or ultraviolet.
 4. A flip flop of claim 2 comprises an outer surface comprising at least one glow-in-the-dark element.
 5. The flip flop of claim 2 wherein the glow-in-the-dark element comprises a phosphor material.
 6. The flip flop of claim 2, wherein the outer surface is lined, dyed, painted, or coated with a layer of a phosphor material.
 7. The flip flop of claim 2, wherein the materials used to make the flip flop are mixed with phosphor material.
 8. The flip flop of claim 2, wherein at least one glow-in-the-dark element comprised one of the following materials: zinc, sulfide, strontium aluminate.
 9. The flip flop of claim 2, wherein at least one glow-in-the-dark element fluoresces a plurality of colors.
 10. The flip flop of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of glow-in-the-dark elements.
 11. A flip flop comprising: an outer surface comprised of a rechargeable phosphorescent compound.
 12. The flip flop of claim 11 further comprising a recharging source; and a plurality of securing elements.
 13. The flip flop of claim 12 wherein the recharging source comprised of either a light emitting diode (LED), a visible light source, or ultraviolet or black ultraviolet source.
 14. The flip flop of claim 12, wherein the phosphorescent compound is rechargeable with a low-level radioactive source.
 15. The flip flop of claim 12, further comprises at least one attachment element capable of accepting at least one removable phosphorescent element.
 16. A glow in the dark Y-shaped strap that goes in between the wearers big toe and second toe. 